Corporate America, Calling the Tune of Mass Culture (by Philip Kennicott) - P2P-Zone

Amy-Lee · 27-03-01, 12:04 AM

Thanks TankGirl!

Shows that "folk culture" isn't just a silly ideal after all

I couldn't think a better way of expressing what I wanted to say than Stuart Wilde has in his book "Whispering Winds of Change".

Not Napster related, but not far off the point, I think:

"Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why are our governments so obsessed with controlling every minute aspect of people's lives?" The answer is, in part, that it makes them more godlike and as a result more secure. The more control it exercised, the more it can rise above the herd.

So then you might ask, "Given that the world is becoming less and less secure, and given that the control and interference of governments has brought nations to their knees, will those governments now realize that control is folly?" Answer: No. Not voluntarily, they won't." The more unsettled things become, the more insecure people in power will feel, so the more they will seek absolute control.

On the surface it seems there is no way to break the power of the megapolitical monopolies or the control of money and information which governments and the status quo enjoy.

But all extremes of power expressed through ego eventually destroy themselves. When a political or social system enjoys unbridled power there's no realistic check to the limit of that power.

As people grow and become more courageous, they will pull away from the government nipple that controls them. They will want their freedom and spiritual birthright more than any pittance offered for their allegiance by the controllers of Animal Farm. People will burn with desire to fulfill themselves.

Unfortunately, the process whereby the ego gives up control to the spirit usually takes place only through collapse. It's almost impossible for the ego to release its grip voluntarily. It will take a crisis to shrink the world ego to the point where the spirit can begin to win back control.

Our Western institutions will also come under an ever increasing pressure to change their ways. Many of them are still based in the remnants of the old fuedal system, in which ordinary people are just expendable cogs in the wheel. As people power gains strength, our institutions will have to embrace a new ideology. Of course, the corruption and mismanagement of many of our institutions is so endemic many of them will not see the changes coming, and they will collapse."

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

27-03-01, 12:04 AM	#21
Amy-Lee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 556	Thanks TankGirl! Shows that "folk culture" isn't just a silly ideal after all I couldn't think a better way of expressing what I wanted to say than Stuart Wilde has in his book "Whispering Winds of Change". Not Napster related, but not far off the point, I think: "Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why are our governments so obsessed with controlling every minute aspect of people's lives?" The answer is, in part, that it makes them more godlike and as a result more secure. The more control it exercised, the more it can rise above the herd. So then you might ask, "Given that the world is becoming less and less secure, and given that the control and interference of governments has brought nations to their knees, will those governments now realize that control is folly?" Answer: No. Not voluntarily, they won't." The more unsettled things become, the more insecure people in power will feel, so the more they will seek absolute control. On the surface it seems there is no way to break the power of the megapolitical monopolies or the control of money and information which governments and the status quo enjoy. But all extremes of power expressed through ego eventually destroy themselves. When a political or social system enjoys unbridled power there's no realistic check to the limit of that power. As people grow and become more courageous, they will pull away from the government nipple that controls them. They will want their freedom and spiritual birthright more than any pittance offered for their allegiance by the controllers of Animal Farm. People will burn with desire to fulfill themselves. Unfortunately, the process whereby the ego gives up control to the spirit usually takes place only through collapse. It's almost impossible for the ego to release its grip voluntarily. It will take a crisis to shrink the world ego to the point where the spirit can begin to win back control. Our Western institutions will also come under an ever increasing pressure to change their ways. Many of them are still based in the remnants of the old fuedal system, in which ordinary people are just expendable cogs in the wheel. As people power gains strength, our institutions will have to embrace a new ideology. Of course, the corruption and mismanagement of many of our institutions is so endemic many of them will not see the changes coming, and they will collapse."